|
Portland Trail Blazers center Fabricio Oberto has announced today that he has retired from the game of basketball due to recurrent palpitations related to a prior cardiac condition.
Oberto experienced lightheadedness and dizziness during the first half of Portland’s game at Milwaukee on Nov. 2.
“I made this decision to put my health and my family in front of basketball,” said Oberto. “It was a tough decision to make after playing for so many years, but it was the right one.”
In his sixth season in the NBA, Oberto appeared in each of Portland’s first five games, averaging 1.4 points and 1.4 rebounds in 9.0 minutes.
“We want to thank Fabricio for his professionalism and hard work during his short time here,” said Trail Blazers General Manager Rich Cho. “It’s unfortunate to lose him, but we respect his decision to do what’s best for his health and his family.”
A native of Las Varillas, Argentina, Oberto played four seasons for the San Antonio Spurs (2005-09), winning an NBA Championship as the starting center in 2007, before spending last season with the Washington Wizards.
Oberto, 35, ends his career with NBA averages of 3.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 14.5 minutes in 336 games (128 starts).
A veteran of international play, Oberto was a member of the Argentine National Team that won the gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, took home the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and won the silver medal at the 2002 FIBA World Championships.
The Trail Blazers roster currently stands at 14 players.